Eleven Egyptian fishermen were detained in Tunisia on Tuesday after they refused to leave Tunisia’s regional waters, Egypt's foreign affairs ministry statement read.

Tunisia’s coastguards warned the fishermen three times to leave the water but they refused, the statement added.

The fishermen are currently being held in Zarzis town, in southeastern Tunisia.

Tunisia has repeatedly complained to Egyptian authorities of the territorial breaches of its fishermen in Tunisian waters, a violation that affects its supply of fish.

Egypt, on its part, has repeatedly warned its fishermen against breaching territorial waters.

In August, Tunisia released 15 Egyptian fishermen, detained in July near Sfax port in eastern Tunisia, for breaching its waters.

In August, Sudan released 101 Egyptian fishermen who trespassed in its waters in April.